West Edmonton Mall?

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Hi...

My DH is going to be away for March Break, so I decided to book a trip for myself and my two DDs (7 and 9) to West Edmonton Mall. Have I done the right thing?! We all like to shop, and it sounds like there will be lots to do, but will we be bored after a while (we're getting in on Friday afternoon and flying out on Monday afternoon)?

What are your favourite things to do at the mall? Are there any restaurants you'd particularly recommend? We're staying at the Fantasyland Hotel.

Heather

 

[fraserfamily]

Hi Heather,
I live just outside of Edmonton and can tell you that the amount of time you are there will be filled up!
The mall is HUGE!! Shopping could take you 2 days to see it all and then there's the Galaxy land amusement park full of rides, the waterpark which is fun, several different types of mini golf locations, dinner theatres, arcade games, iceskating, aquarium sea life caverns and sea lion show, bowling, imax and regular movie theatre etc etc
Build a Bear store is fun for your girls, it was one of the original locations but now they're everywhere.
Food wise, there are several food courts with various fast food outlets as well as Bourbon street which has several restaurants and bars, Moxies Clasisc Grill is one of my favourites.


http://www.westedmall.com/home/default.asp

Should be a fun holiday, let me know if you have anymore questions, Oh and the Fantasy land hotel is very nice and convenient!
Miriam

 

[P&L@WDW]

Living in Edmonton, I can assure you...if you haven't been to the mall before, you can most definately spend a full weekend there and never leave the mall (if you're staying at the onsite hotel, that is). There is -so- much to do!

Be sure to take your girls to see the dragon that breaths fire in the Scotiabank theatre.

You'll definately want to do the waterpark. I, myself, am not a huge fan of the amusement park, but maybe that's because A) I live here, and B) I end up comparing it to Disney parks!

 

[Ember]

When I worked there I would meet people all the time who came specifically to the mall for a vacation. And I remember when I first moved here the mall seemed HUGE! You'll be able to fill a weekend no problem.

After years of working there and living here, it's not nearly as exciting... But then, after a holiday season or two of retail, it would give anyone hives!

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Thanks for the reassurance!

I looked it up on the internet, and thought the girls would have fun...but then I started to worry that all of the attractions would be really "hokey" and they'd be disappointed. They do like waterparks (and, well, so do I ) so that should at least keep us busy for a while.

I noticed on the WEM website that there is a discount book you can buy. Is it a good deal?

Heather

 

[nmccrea]

I just checked the Mall website since I didn't kmow this coupon book existed,but for $11.00 I don't see how you could go wrong.I saw someone mentioned the fire breathing Dragon,just so you know he has been broken now for quite awhile,and I know someone who works there and it dosen't sound like he will be fixed anytime soon.

 

[P&L@WDW]

Yeah, the dragon was me. I hardly go to the mall, unless it's for something specific. Had no idea it was broken. Ah well. Still neat to look at.

And yeah, for 11$, you really can't go wrong with the book. It has coupons for some of the attractions and food and such, I believe.

 

[ChisJo]

Also, if you are a AAA member, you can get tickets to the water park and the amusement park WAY cheaper then you can at the gate. Also go to an Alberta AAA place to get discounted movie tickets or a movie night out (comes with a coupon for popcorn and pop) for a great deal too. There's an office just north of the mall (only about a 5 minute drive).

Also, since you are going with your girls, take them to Sephora and ask the make-up ladies there to do your girls up (this is usually under the assumption that you'll buy something - but I find everytime I go in there, it's hard to resist buying anything!).

Also, I didn't know the dragon was broken! That sucks! I don't normally go to that theater though, so....hopefully they fix it soon. Make sure you check what IMAX movie is playing. Sometimes they have a 3D movie playing that your girls might like.

One more thing to mention. There is a place close to the waterpark that you can take your girls too (don't know the cost though, sorry!). Your girls can get strapped into a harness, and jump on a trampoline type contraction, but you go REALLY high. It looks like a lot of fun, but I have never done it before.

Make sure you go to the Crepe place in the Food Court - They have crepes to DIE for.

There is a huge PJ's pets as well....I'm sure your girls will have a ball looking at all the puppies and kittens in there - there usually are some birds out too that are pretty neat. And if they like snakes, this is the place for them!

Make sure to get a Cookies by George (By the Ice Palace). I don't know if you've ever been, but this store opened in Alberta and is starting to branch outside of Alberta. I see they only have one location in BC. If you've never been, you have to try their cookies. The best ever is Milk Chocolate Chunk (although, really, all there cookies are splendid!).

Also, there is an Antique Photo Parlour where you and your girls can get decked out in old fashioned clothing and you can get a picture where you look like you are from the 1800's. Have don't it a couple of times and we LOVE it!

 

[so_are_you]

it won't let me post a link but if you do a search for discount tickets for west ed mall there is a site that has ones to print off
there is lots to do there
we live just outside of edmonton too

 

[Pokemom]

Just so you know, they are currently doing construction in the Waterpark area, so several of the slides and other areas are closed until Spring. Because of the construction, the admission to the Waterpark is half price until it is finished. This would make it cheaper to buy your tickets there than buying the discount tickets at AMA. Tickets at Galaxyland would still be cheaper to buy at AMA (there is an office a few blocks north of the Mall). Also, check with the Hotel - they often have add-on packages with tickets and breakfast that can save you some money.
If you are interested in the Coupon Book - go to the Customer Service Office downstairs by the Waterpark. They have a display there with several tourism booklets that you can take. Some of the booklets have a coupon in them for a free coupon book. (There is usually an Edmonton Tour book that has the coupon). You could also ask Edmonton Tourism to send you a package before you go - there will probably be a coupon in one of the booklets they send you. The Coupon Books usually have coupons for 2 for 1 admission to Galaxyland and the Waterpark - although there are some restrictions (it may only be weekdays - sorry I can't remember exactly)
Let your daughters spend an afternoon at Kidtropolis (and take some shopping time for yourself). It is lots of fun for the kids - no adults allowed.

 

[so_are_you]

tha $11 coupon book is free with www .edmonton .com/itscoolerhere/page_sum.asp?page=1275 (I can post links so you have to take the spaces out)
there are a bunch of coupons there

 

[Dragonfly*Tink]

WEM is a great place to wander - you should have fun!

My son works at Scotia Theatre and just got home from work - the Dragon is now fixed! Don't miss seeing it!

 

[Lluianae]

We went to WEM for part of our honeymoon, and we both loved it. I was disappointed that they took out the Drop of Doom ride. I was 16 when I was last there, and kept telling my DF/DH all about that ride. I still had a great time though. We both love the roller coaster.

You and your DDs will have so much fun there. One thing I would recommend not missing is the the dolphin show and submarine ride (if you don't get claustrophobic), you can see the dolphins swimming under the water.

 

[ChisJo]

We went to WEM for part of our honeymoon, and we both loved it. I was disappointed that they took out the Drop of Doom ride. I was 16 when I was last there, and kept telling my DF/DH all about that ride. I still had a great time though. We both love the roller coaster.

You and your DDs will have so much fun there. One thing I would recommend not missing is the the dolphin show and submarine ride (if you don't get claustrophobic), you can see the dolphins swimming under the water.

The dolphins are now gone...they've been replaced with a sea lion show.

 

[bev r.]

the submarines are also gone.

 

[chimo2u]

I thought Kidtropolis was closed? Is it up and running again?